The away fans went wild when Villa burst into an early two-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium - but Luke Young admits he couldn't bring himself to celebrate because he knew the Arsenal onslaught that awaited him.

Young revealed he simply returned to his defensive position because he knew supreme concentration was needed to keep the Gunners at bay for the rest of the game.

The full-back was thrilled Villa held out for a 2-1 win - and hailed the team's defensive work ethic in bringing about the wondrous win.

He said: "We're all delighted with the result. Right from the first whistle I thought we were at it. We started really well and I think that was the key to the result - getting those two early goals.

"Perhaps we haven't started well enough this season and fallen behind too many times.

"But in this match we got off to a good start, with Darren putting us two ahead with a couple of chances.

"From then on, we still have some other chances but really it was about a team effort and trying to protect the lead.

"If you look at me after we score I don't celebrate. I just simply walk straight back into my position because I know at that point there are 70 minutes to go and a long, hard-fought game to come.

"I think we saw that second half. They threw everything at us. I am just glad they got their goal so late. If they'd have got it a little bit earlier it would have been a bit nervier for us.

"It was an all-round team defensive display. I thought the two centre-halves as well as Kyle and Brad were especially good.

"Brad made a few great saves. Everyone was fighting for each other and it was a real team effort. No-one wanted to lose that game.

"I have gone to Arsenal a few times and won. But I have also been on the receiving ends of quite a few defeats too over the years.

"When you do get a win, you do have to savour it a bit. We roll on now looking to end the season on a high. It's been a difficult season but we want to end it with another win against Liverpool."

Young may have praised the team for the win at Arsenal - but he was particularly impressed with the continuing good form of good mate Darren Bent.

Young and Bent played together at Charlton so this rich vein of form from the predatory striker comes as no surprise to the reliable right-back.

He added: "I played with him at Charlton so I knew what he could do when we signed him.

"He scored bundles of goals at Charlton and that wasn't an easy thing to do because we weren't the most free-scoring side around.

"I knew what we were getting - and that's a top-class finisher - and he's proved that again.

"He is always going to score goals. If you pick him week-in and week-out, he's going to get you 20 goals in the Barclays Premier League. He's shown that finishing class once again at the Emirates against Arsenal - a really difficult place.

"He's come away with two goals and that's what he brings. He has been really excellent since he's been at Villa."

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